3 things to know about Aseel Al-Hamad, Saudi Arabia’s first female Formula One racing driver
A ban on on women being able to drive in the kingdom, which was only lifted in 2018, did not stop this woman’s passion for cars and motorsports
For women across Saudi Arabia today, there is nothing more important than to come together and fight for their rights. And there are quite a few of them who have already paved the way for others across the entire region to follow their dreams.
One such influential woman to have made it big in this race is Aseel Al-Hamad who is the first Saudi female Formula One driver.
Here are three things you need to know about Aseel Al-Hamad:
She was educated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Al-Hamad earned her bachelor’s degree in interior design engineering from Prince Sultan University in Riyadh and later completed an MBA from Alfaisal University. She went on to found the engineering and design company, IDegree Design, in 2009. This firm has worked on more than 40 major design projects including residential and commercial ones in Saudi Arabia and across the region.
She is also a member of the Saudi Council of Engineers.
Her love for motorsports
Al-Hamad was the first Saudi woman to purchase a Ferrari from abroad when it was almost impossible for women in the country to own cars of their own. As a successful F1 racing driver in her own right, Al-Hamad has helped put Saudi Arabia on the map as a destination for F1 Grand Prix events.